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Home My WebLink About2024-5-21 ACAC Minutes 1 Arts and Culture Advisory Committee May 21, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Pipe Room - 6th Floor City Hall City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: M. Lam, Chair B. Reid, Member A. Girard, Member C. Nwene, Member I. Stefanescu, Member E. Wainaina, Member Councillor D. Schnider, Member O. Ajibade, Member J. Hall, Member Staff: K. Varin, Committee Administrator, Arts & Creative Industries E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries Jeremy Dueck, Director, Culture and Entertainment Andrea Hallam, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. 1.1 Acceptance of Agenda Accepted; moved by B. Reid, seconded by E. Wainaina. 1.2 Acceptance of April minutes Accepted; moved by B. Reid, seconded by J. Hall. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 2 3. Delegations 3.1 Uncovering Barriers for Visual Artists report: Julie Hall, ACAC member In 2023, B. Reid and S. Smith surveyed visual artists in Waterloo Region to identify gaps in arts opportunities and resources and to recommend changes to address these barriers. This study was supported by the city of Kitchener through the Bloomberg initiative. Ms. Reid and Ms. Smith enlisted J. Hall for assistance with analysis of the data and the writing of the report. She presented a high level overview through a visual presentation. The study aims to identify the gaps in the opportunities and resources needed by local visual artists to establish, maintain, and/or grow their individual art practices, with some aiming to operate their art practice sustainably at a professional level and to be active contributors to a thriving local economy. A total of 66 self-identified artists filled out the survey. From this group, 10 artists were selected for one-on-one interviews to expand on their survey responses. The research team emailed the survey to a vast amount of local arts, social, newcomer and religious organizations/groups. Some of the key highlights of the findings include: - the variety of demographics (age, education, location) was well represented - many of respondents were highly educated - many of respondents were seeking affiliation with arts organizations - largest number of respondents practice traditional arts - over one quarter of respondents identified barriers in access to finances such as employment, equitable art competition and barriers in accessing programs that facilitate mentorship - the top three identified barriers are: access to Finances, access to Spaces to support artistic practice, and access to Information - the data indicated that younger demographics of visual artists graduating from university programs experience the highest amount of barriers, followed by respondents identifying as LGBTQ2IA+, New to Region, Non-white and/or racial minority, New to professional art, and Immigrant - personal barriers were noted but not identified in great detail by the respondents Report authors recommend these long term changes: - increasing the availability of local arts employment and paid opportunities 3 - increasing resources to sell artwork - more municipal funding and subsidies for arts resources - affordable and accessible studio spaces - low-barrier-of-entry exhibition spaces that can also support meetings and gatherings - and providing artistic programs dedicated to improving the professional practices of local artists through mentorship, as well as programs lead by community leaders and supports for arts advocacy initiatives They identified these short terms goals: - local art fair - centralized source of information - more arts organizations - more arts resources Action: K. Varin to share the full report with ACAC members. 3.2 Conrad Centre Operating Model Report: Jeremy Dueck, Director, Culture and Entertainment, Economic Development Two surveys were distributed to the public to solicit input on their experience at the Conrad Centre for Performing Arts. One survey was published on the Kitchener Engage platform to invite comments from citizens, the second one was distributed to presenters. This information will support a report where staff will outline the recommended operating model to Council. The report is scheduled to be presented to Council on July 17th, 2024, and will be posted on the city's website for public access on June 7th. Staff will need to speak to: - most sustainable operating model - core competencies - Council's vision for arts and culture Staff also conducted a number of one on one meetings and consulted with the city's current CCPA's operating partner, Greenlight Arts. Action: members to email any feedback about their experiences at the Centre and how they might be improved, or indicate interests to see specific experiences, to K. Varin who will share with J. Dueck; reschedule 4 the June ACAC meeting to an earlier meeting time, so members can be introduced to the report; share the report link once published. 4. Discussion Items 4.1 2024 Artist in Residence call: Karoline Varin, Program Administrator, Arts & Creative Industries K. Varin presented the draft for the 2024 Artist in Residence call: a Creative Publication Residency. She provided the impetus for this type of residency, the timeline, and reasons why it is a six-month residency instead of the usual year- long residency. Members provided input on the language and suggestions of accessibility supports if resources allow. The aim is to post the call to the city’s website at the end of May or early June. 5. Information Items 5.1 Standing items city updates: staff E. Rumble shared that the Mill Courtland open call for submissions has now been posted, with one month until it closes. The jury has been assembled, and about 12 people showed up for the information session hosted by staff to provide more information around the call. 44 Gaukel artist talks entitled "How I Made It...." started with Sandra's Dunn talk in May, and will continue with Carol Bradley's in June, and Sharl Smith's in July. 5.2 Downtown Action and Advisory Committee: Annabelle Girard The committee has new members. The Kitchener Downtown BIA will host an event on May 25th, called Palette X Palate with the aim of activating the downtown. They have switched the murals located downto wn that are part of the DTK Art Walk, and published a booklet about them which will launch at the event. 5.3 Economic Development Advisory Committee: Margaret Lam The committee discussed the Communitech partnership renewal with the city. It was noted that the arts sector would also benefit from a steady financial support from the city. The All Advisory Committees meeting took place, and three ACAC members attended. It is worthwhile to invite PAWG members in the future. 5.4 Public Art Working Group: Brenda Reid Architects working on the recreation facility at Schlegel Park made a presentation about the proposed design. Members engaged in a lengthy discussion about the installation of an artwork as part of the design. The construction of the park and facility has a 1% allocation for a public art installation as part of the 1% public art 5 policy. Members also gave detailed feedback on the 2024 Artist in Residency call presented by staff. 5.5 Council report: Councillor Dave Schneider The Museum made a request to Council for additional funding of $300,000. As part of the discussions, a need for more equitable and sustainable funding model for the arts in the region came up. All are invited to Welcome Fest on May 24th, where the season of events will be announced. The Sunset Sessions will continue this year at Vogelsang Green, and Caribana Ignite will be coming to Kitchener in August: the first city outside of Toronto. 5.6 Member updates Members B. Reid, I. Stefanescu, O. Ajibade and J. Hall provided updates. 6. Ad journment On motion by B. Reid and seconded by I. Stefanescu, this meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Karoline Varin Committee Administrator